AFL Round 15 Match of the Round – North Melbourne V West Coast

News Article Date: July 5, 2012

With the AFL season past the half way mark, the top sides have made themselves known and it is becoming clearer who will still be around come September. One side who will definitely play a role in this year’s finals is West Coast. The men from Perth have been one of the most consistent sides this season and sit nicely in third position. They take on a North Melbourne side who have improved as the season has gone on and in recent times have stamped themselves as a serious outfit with convincing wins over Adelaide and St Kilda.

North Melbourne

One of the biggest challenges North Melbourne will have to overcome this week is how to deal with star West Coast big men Nic Natanui and Dean Cox. With Hamish McIntosh on the sidelines, it will be left majorly up to Todd Goldstein who will have to be at the top of his game to nullify the pair. The Kangaroos have used a three-man forward line with Petrie, Hansen and Tarrant in the past few weeks with great success but whether they can perform as well against the excellent edfence of Darren Glass and Eric Mackenzie will be a major telling point.

West Coast

West Coast have not travelled well recently, losing their past three away starts, meaning they will have to turn that around here or risk falling down the competition ladder. They bounced back from a loss to Collingwood in round 13 to thump the Gold Coast last start but will have to be on their game from the beginning or risk being embarrassed by the ever-improving Kangaroos.

The Tip

The Kangaroos have been in sensational form of late and with the Eagles’ horrible away form they may just sneak away with a tigh win here.

North Melbourne by 3.

The Bet

With North Melbourne tipped to upset West Coast, there is sensational odds up for grabs.